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'I Can Keep Getting Better': Sharks' Henry Thrun Made A Mentality Change Resulting In Better Play

max miller
·4 min read

San Jose Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun has had an uptick in play recently, all stemming from a mentality change.

Thrun has just eight assists through 35 games this season, but his play has improved since returning to the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 19. Thrun had been a healthy scratch for the previous three games and returned to the lineup with a different mentality for his play.

"I think probably just being more assertive. Honestly, the start of the year was an interesting time because I felt like a much better player than last year. And I think the staff, specifically [Ryan Warsofsky], agreed. I was stronger on pucks. [I] wasn't turning over [the puck] as much. [I was] better defensively," Thrun said. "Mentally, I was like, Okay, I'm better. I'm doing well. But I think I just [got] caught in the habit of being a third pair, not trying to affect the game as much as I think I can. Recently, I've been trying to impact the game more, whether it be defensively or offensively."

Warsofsky has said throughout the season that he wants his younger players to have a more significant impact on the game. The head coach's job is to get the most out of his players, and Thrun highly praised Warsofsky for the type of culture he's building regarding player development.

"It's hard to hit the nail on the head, but I think one of the things that Warsofsky does so well is creating a culture both on an individual level [and] on a team level," Thrun said. "Driving to be your best and pushing yourself and always getting better. I think that Warsofsky and I have a good relationship, and we're working collectively to try to get me to be better."

Warsofsky agrees with his defenseman about what he is trying to build for the San Jose Sharks.

"He's a kid that wants to continue to get better every time he's on the ice. You see that in the way he prepares. Hockey is his life. It's everything," Warsofsky said. "He's put in a lot of work to get to this point, and I don't see him stopping whatsoever. As a coaching staff, we're going to continue to challenge him, and I think he accepts that challenge. He embraces it, and I'm going to try to keep and continue to push the envelope of his development."

Thrun told THN that he had always felt confident this season, but since he's been paired with Cody Ceci and playing more minutes, he's decided to play more freely.

"I've been happy with the way I've been playing, and Cody's helped me a ton with that. Just playing a little bit more free and not really thinking," Thrun said. "I think I fell into the habit because I felt so much better than last year. At the start of this year, I was like, Okay, I'm better. I'm doing good. I'm not giving up a lot. I think maybe I didn't give myself enough credit and realize [I] actually can be better, which I've proven recently. I think that's a very fair assessment. [I'm] probably just not playing as safe as I used to."

Thrun's average ice time this season is currently at 16:38 per game, but in the last five games, the defenseman is averaging 20:38.

He's shown an improved ability to move the puck out of the defensive zone and kill plays along the boards when they happen. With Jake Walman still out of the lineup, Thrun will continue to get more opportunities on the top pair. If Thrun continues to have a strong upward trend in development, the more he will solidify himself as a top-four d-man for the San Jose Sharks.

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